Chapter 21: Surprise for the Seventh Years
Katherine was nearly five months along and had taken on a strange change in her appearance. Like her first three pregnancies she just wasn't really showing that much so it was strange as to why she wore such large vloumnious robes with long necks and sleeves. She had also taken to always wearing her glasses and putting her long locks in a tight bun. No one was really sure why; but they hoped she'd snap out of it soon.
This particular morning Katherine was entering Hogwarts castle carrying a covered plate in one hand and holding her purse in the other. She hummed happily and greeted the portraits as she made her way through the school. Before she reached her destination; however, she ran into Headmaster Dippit.
"Lady Harris!? Wha-what on earth are you doing here!" Dippit exclaimed smoothing out his robes.
"Visiting. Don't get your wand in a knot Armando," Katherine stated.
"And the items?" Dippit asked looking at her hands.
"For Albus. Now please excuse me," he nodded curtly and swept down the corridor her black and green robes billowing behind her brilliantly.
Dippit watched her round the corner and sighed.
"You can stop a force like Katherine. Best to just let her have her way Armando," a portrait of an old grey wizard chuckled.
"I'm beginning to learn that," Dippit nodded walking down the hall.
"So I want half a foot on…" Albus stopped his lecture and looked up at the door.
The seventh year NEWT Gryffindors and Slytherins turned as the knock was heard again.
"Come in!" Albus called frowning at the familiar knock.
Katherine entered with a smile as she shut the door.
"Hello Albus darling how is everything?" Katherine greeted.
"Fine," Albus chuckled as she started up the main aisle. Most of the students watched the woman intently.
"Class please welcome one of the school governors and my mother-in-law; Lady Katherine Harris-McGonagall," Albus introduced.
"Good afternoon Lady McGonagall," the class nodded.
"Good afternoon children. Would any of you know what the date is today?" Katherine asked smiling as she placed her purse and the platter on Albus' desk.
"March 12," Nora Crabbe answered.
"Very good. And on the 12th we celebrate….Professor Dumbledore's Birthday!" Katherine exclaimed as she pulled the top off of the platter to reveal a large cake in the shape of Hogwarts.
The students silently stared at the two adults.
"Thank you very much Katherine. I suppose you didn't want me to eat it all myself?" Albus asked with that now ever present twinkle in his eyes. Everyone chalked it up to Minerva but she disagreed.
"Well if you want to you can….though I doubt your wife would approve," Katherine laughed tweaking his nose like a child and causing the students to quietly snicker.
"Hmm…perhaps these fine students can assist in the disposal of such a fine cake?" Katherine asked with a knowing smile.
"Hmm…" Albus sighed seeming to ponder the thought. The teenagers were all leaning forward in their seats biting their lips and holding their breath. Anything to break from the mundane would be welcomed and this woman seemed to be offering it.
"Albus…" Katherine pouted cutely wrapping her arm around his. Albus sighed and chuckled deeply.
"I think Minerva learns that from you. Never can resist her," he whispered in Katherine's ear before turning to his students.
"Class I have decided we shall for go the homework …provided you can help me get rid of this absolutely sinfully delicious concoction of my mother-in-law's," he replied. The class nodded eagerly as he conjured a knife and several plates.
Minutes later everyone in the room was happily munching on the cake. Katherine was sitting on the edge of Albus' desk with her back to the students as Albus sat in his chair.
"How are you fairing today?" Albus asked quietly.
"Very well," Katherine smiled pulling a package out of his purse, "This is for you."
He grinned putting down his plate and eagerly taking the gift.
"You're like a child Albus. God love you," Katherine laughed.
Albus smiled again and opened the wrapping to reveal a beautiful gold pocket watched with a phoenix engraved on the front and his initials; A.P.W.B.D. He opened it to find the face had moons and stars on it instead of numbers and on the inside was an inscription that read: To my Albus Darling; Mother Katherine.
"This is wonderful. Thank you Katherine," Albus smiled and stood to kiss her cheek.
She smiled and nodded. He turned to the students and held up his hands.
"Class what do we say to Miss Katherine?" Albus asked.
"THANK YOU!" They shouted excitedly.
"I think they like the cake," Albus laughed. Katherine nodded.